With the temperatures warming in Alaska, and the landscape turning green, I’ve been trying to get in shape for a bunch of trips planned this summer. Many of them will be on foot, so being in good enough shape to carry a bunch of camping gear, along with photo gear is critical. In accord with my growing proclivity towards the reduction of “stuff” there is never a time more preciseĀ for this exercise than backpacking. Every ounce counts, and this seems to increase in importance in accordance with the number of birthdays accrued. For starters, I’m hoping to do a pack rafting trip in the Arctic in June, so this venture adds the weight of a packraft, paddles, and lifejacket, which weigh in at a little over 10 pounds. I’ve been weighing all of my goods and as soon as I finalize the gear load, I’ll share a list of the final items and their weight for those of you out there who have a thirst for data.
Preliminary packing for an Arctic pack rafting trip.
Patrick, we are in the same boat (pardon the pun…). I am trying to shave down the weight for an Alaska packraft/ backpacking photography trip. Right now I am planning on the bringing a 600 mm lens. I am curious if you are planning on a bringing a super telephoto lens on your back ? On past trips I have saved some weight by using a wood burning stove (e.g. Bushbuddy) and using a tarptent. Bring all the photography gear along sort of swamps all the ultra-light gear though š
Hi Ed,
Sorry for the delayed response, for some reason this comment did not show up on the blog post. On this particular trip I am not taking a super tele lens. Mainly because the focus won’t be on wildlife. I may consider that on a future trip, but it sure is a beast to carry when trying to travel in a minimal framework. I tend to prefer base camping when I take a lot of glass, then making treks from camp.